Green hydrogen is becoming an important ingredient in realizing the energy transition, by storing large amounts of intermittent electricity and as a base chemical. Water electrolysis is a convenient way to create hydrogen from water and renewable electricity. To aid commercial viability membraneless electrolysers, like those described in https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2020.229364, are promising innovations to increase the energy efficiency. Small inter-electrode gaps decrease resistance so that water of lower conductivity can be used. This project will be part of a European consortium of several universities and a microfluidics company. High volume microfluidics will be used to treat wastewater and create hydrogen at the same time.

The goal will be to create, test, and optimize membraneless electrolyzer systems that allow high flow velocities and energy efficiencies. Studying the complex interaction between dissolved hydrogen, bubbles, and high liquid velocities will be an important point of investigation. The transport of dissolved gas and bubbles will be studied through optical and electrochemical means. Besides these scientific aspects, engineering aspects like effective gas-liquid separator design will also play a role. The challenges will be primarily experimental in nature, but depending on the interest and skills of the candidate a combination with multiphysics or computational fluid dynamics simulations may be possible.

The research will be supervised by dr.ir. Willem Haverkort at the Process & Energy department and is embedded in the wider e-refinery community at Delft University of Technology and the European project consortium. The desired starting date is October 1st.

We seek a self-motivated conscientious researcher (f/m) with good communication and self-management skils.

An MSc degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, applied physics, or similar will be required. Knowledge in fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and/or electrochemistry is desirable.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2443 per month in the first year to € 3122 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The Faculty of 3mE carries out pioneering research, leading to new fundamental insights and challenging applications in the field of mechanical engineering. From large-scale energy storage, medical instruments, control technology and robotics to smart materials, nanoscale structures and autonomous ships. The foundations and results of this research are reflected in outstanding, contemporary education, inspiring students and PhD candidates to become socially engaged and responsible engineers and scientists. The faculty of 3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with an international scope and high-tech lab facilities. Research and education focus on the design, manufacture, application and modification of products, materials, processes and mechanical devices, contributing to the development and growth of a sustainable society, as well as prosperity and welfare.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? This video will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.